Glutton for punishment

[ssb73q]

Hi, this weekend my son-in-law and I shot many hundreds of rounds using 38 Short & Long Colt heeled ammo. It's easy to understand why the government decided to go with internally lubed bullets starting with the 38 Long Colt. The outside lubed heeled bullets are dirty and gums up the cylinder chambers after a lot of shooting. Using the internally lubed  hollow based wadcutters in 38 Special provides very clean shooting where one wouldn't know that many hundred rounds have been fired. The hollow based bullets are accurate enough for casual target shooting.

I'm done loading any more heeled bullets, never again.

Regards,
Richard

[Hewy]

Thanks Richard .
That cleared up my question about the Alox external bullet lube. I want to use on
45 Colt ( not heeled ) the lube is applied before seating.
I haven't got to 38 Conversion yet , not sure I'll do that at least for time being. You comment about
wad cutter hollow base bullets seems like a better way.Plus no extra molds and die. Easier to buy
Speer or others already produced.

[ssb73q]

Hi Hewy, the Magnus bullets are a little more accurate than the Speer, see:

http://saas.shopsite.com/magnusbullets/store/page11.html

Also, I don't like the lube on the Speer that goos up dies. The Magnus is cleaner and more accurate.

Considering the cost of molds and time to cast hollow based bullets, buying already manufactured hollow based bullets is the smart path.

I use 2.7gr Trail Boss powder with the HBWC 38 Special.

Something you posted infers that you are getting a 38 Colt converted 1851? Does that have a .357" or .375" bore?

Regards,
Richard

[Hewy]

Not an 1851 converted, what I'm cosidering is a "conversion cylinder" for my present Pietta 1851.
Yes when that happens, I'll get the Magnus hollow based cutters.I already have lots of
38 Spl brass on hand, been shooting for years.

[ssb73q]

Hi, Mike loads the heel based .38:



God bless us fools. lol

Regards,
Richard

[AntiqueSledMan]

Hey Guys,

It looks like Mike is trying to scare people off from loading heeled bullets.
I put together a little PDF showing different ways of crimping them.

AntiqueSledMan.

[ShotgunDave]

Thanks for all this information guys.

I've been trying to talk myself into a .38 Colt conversion. I think you have just pushed me over the edge.

[ssb73q]

Hi, another heeled bullet video from Mike:



Doing heeled bullet reloading is an interesting project for the winter bad weather, but it's still only recommended for those with a glutton for punishment.

A more harmonious outcome is realized using hollow based .38 caliber wad cutter bullets for your .38 cartridge conversion.

Regards,
Richard